Mark Waters to direct Billy Bob Thornton`s `Bad Santa 2`

Los Angeles: "Mean Girls" helmer Mark Waters has come aboard to direct the sequel to Billy Bob Thornton-starrer "Bad Santa 2".

Original cast members Tony Cox and Brett Kelly have closed deals to return alongside Thornton to the sequel to the 2003 comedy, said The Hollywood Reporter.

The first part is said to have grossed USD 76.5 million at the global box office. Broad Green Pictures announced last week it has come aboard to co-finance and co-produce the movie alongside Miramax, with Thornton returning in the title role.

Broad Green will release "Bad Santa 2" in the US during the year-end holidays in 2016. Waters is set to start shooting in January from a script by Johnny Rosenthal, Doug Ellin ('Entourage') and Shauna Cross ('If I Stay'). The sequel, whose producers include Geyer Kosinski, is currently out to a female lead.